Abstract

ADULTERATION IN FOOD AND DRUG AND DRUG EVALUATION FOR IDENTIFICATION, DETERMINATION OF QUALITY-PURITY AND DETECTION OF ADULTERATION

*Dr. Kajal Sharma, Dr. D.C. Singh and Dr. Suresh Chaubey, Dr. Ramesh Chandra Tiwari

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Abstract

Medicinal plants constitute an effective source of traditional (e.g., ayurvedic, Chinese, homeopathy and unani) and modern medicine. Herbal medicine has been shown to have genuine utility. Evaluation of a drug ensures the identity of a drug and determines the quality and purity of drugs. The main reasons behind the need for evaluation of crude drugs are biochemical variation in the drug, effect of treatment and storage of drugs, and the adulteration and substitution. Improvements in analytical methods have definitely led to improvements in harvesting schedules, cultivation techniques, storage, activity, stability of active compounds, and product purity. All of these gains have resulted in tremendous improvements in the quality of herbal preparations now available. The further development of analysis of herbs is largely depended upon reliable methodologies for correct identification, standardization and quality assurance of ayurvedic drugs. Methods currently employed in evaluating herbs are organoleptic, microscopic, physical, chemical, and biological parameters.

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